Manager Arsene Wenger had insisted all summer that Sanchez would not be sold, but that stance had softened after Sunday's 4-0 loss to Liverpool, when the player's mindset and performance were widely questioned.

Also on Thursday, Lucas Perez secured a loan to his former club Deportivo La Coruna, leaving the only deal Arsenal still expects to complete before the window shuts is a loan away for Joel Campbell, who is still in recovery from a knee injury.

It makes for a frustrating finish to a transfer window that started in a very promising fashion for Arsenal with the signings of Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette. The club insist they're happy to keep Sanchez but there have been fears that his attitude could have a negative impact on the squad after he made it clear he wants to leave.

Sanchez can now see out final year of his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer, if the Gunners do not accept a cut-price deal in January.